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intercept/docs/TROUBLESHOOTING.md
Smittix 5277537445 Update troubleshooting guide with new issues and solutions
Added additional troubleshooting steps for ADS-B mode and installation issues.
2026-01-07 21:44:22 +00:00

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# Troubleshooting
Solutions for common issues.
## Python / Installation Issues
### "ModuleNotFoundError: No module named 'flask'"
Install Python dependencies first:
```bash
pip install -r requirements.txt
# Or with python3 explicitly
python3 -m pip install -r requirements.txt
```
### "TypeError: 'type' object is not subscriptable"
This error occurs on Python 3.7 or 3.8. **INTERCEPT requires Python 3.9 or later.**
```bash
# Check your Python version
python3 --version
# Ubuntu/Debian - install newer Python
sudo apt update
sudo apt install python3.11 python3.11-venv python3-pip
# Run with newer Python
python3.11 -m venv venv
source venv/bin/activate
pip install -r requirements.txt
sudo venv/bin/python intercept.py
```
### "externally-managed-environment" error (Ubuntu 23.04+, Debian 12+)
Modern systems use PEP 668 to protect system Python. Use a virtual environment:
```bash
# Option 1: Virtual environment (recommended)
python3 -m venv venv
source venv/bin/activate
pip install -r requirements.txt
sudo venv/bin/python intercept.py
# Option 2: Use the setup script (auto-creates venv if needed)
./setup.sh
```
### "pip: command not found"
```bash
# Ubuntu/Debian
sudo apt install python3-pip
# macOS
python3 -m ensurepip --upgrade
```
### Permission denied during pip install
```bash
# Install to user directory
pip install --user -r requirements.txt
```
## SDR Hardware Issues
### No SDR devices found
1. Ensure your SDR device is plugged in
2. Check detection:
- RTL-SDR: `rtl_test`
- LimeSDR/HackRF: `SoapySDRUtil --find`
3. On Linux, add udev rules (see below)
4. Blacklist conflicting drivers:
```bash
echo "blacklist dvb_usb_rtl28xxu" | sudo tee /etc/modprobe.d/blacklist-rtl.conf
sudo modprobe -r dvb_usb_rtl28xxu
```
### Linux udev rules for RTL-SDR
```bash
sudo bash -c 'cat > /etc/udev/rules.d/20-rtlsdr.rules << EOF
SUBSYSTEM=="usb", ATTRS{idVendor}=="0bda", ATTRS{idProduct}=="2838", MODE="0666"
SUBSYSTEM=="usb", ATTRS{idVendor}=="0bda", ATTRS{idProduct}=="2832", MODE="0666"
EOF'
sudo udevadm control --reload-rules
sudo udevadm trigger
```
Then unplug and replug your RTL-SDR.
### Device busy error
1. Click "Kill All Processes" in the UI
2. Unplug and replug the SDR device
3. Check for other applications: `lsof | grep rtl`
### LimeSDR/HackRF not detected
Ensure the correct SoapySDR module for your hardware is installed first
1. Verify SoapySDR is installed: `SoapySDRUtil --info`
2. Check driver is loaded: `SoapySDRUtil --find`
3. May need udev rules or run as root
## WiFi Issues
### Monitor mode fails
1. Ensure running as root/sudo
2. Check adapter supports monitor mode: `iw list | grep monitor`
3. Kill interfering processes: `airmon-ng check kill`
### Permission denied when scanning
Run INTERCEPT with sudo:
```bash
sudo python3 intercept.py
# Or with venv:
sudo venv/bin/python intercept.py
```
### Interface not found after enabling monitor mode
Some adapters rename when entering monitor mode (e.g., wlan0 → wlan0mon). The interface should auto-select, but if not, manually select the monitor interface from the dropdown.
## Bluetooth Issues
### No Bluetooth adapter found
```bash
# Check if adapter is detected
hciconfig
# Ubuntu/Debian - install BlueZ
sudo apt install bluez bluetooth
```
### Permission denied
Run with sudo or add your user to the bluetooth group:
```bash
sudo usermod -a -G bluetooth $USER
```
## Decoding Issues
### No messages appearing (Pager mode)
1. Verify frequency is correct for your area
2. Adjust gain (try 30-40 dB)
3. Check pager services are active in your area
4. Ensure antenna is connected
### Cannot install dump1090 in Debian (ADS-B mode)
On newer Debian versions, dump1090 may not be in repositories. The recommended action is to build from source or use the setup.sh script which will do it for you.
### No aircraft appearing (ADS-B mode)
1. Verify dump1090 is installed
2. Check antenna is connected (1090 MHz antenna recommended)
3. Ensure clear view of sky
4. Set correct observer location for range calculations or use gpsd
### Satellite passes not calculating
1. Ensure skyfield is installed: `apt install python3-skyfield`
2. Check TLE data is valid and recent
3. Verify observer location is set correctly